Following my PB at the CTCT, my PPA seeding shot up to my best ever E. But what was interesting was that the Beta for the CTCT (1.07) made it theoretically more difficult than the Tour de PAA (1.05) Now every year I do these 2 races, which are 2 weeks apart. And every year I am +-30 minutes quicker in the CTCT than the Tour de PPA. Mostly same fitness, weight etc and from my wheather notes, also coincidently, very similar for the years I did both Now for me, the Tour de PPA is vastly more difficult than the CTCT. But from the winning times being simmilar, that appears not the case for the sharp end of the field. And that got me thinking, who determines BETA and with what rider in mind? For me: - The CTCT last 15km is a coast after Suikerbossie, whilst the Tour de PPA finishes with Adderly Street's mind numbing kilometers of uphill drag. The last 15-20% of the race is normally where the weekend warrior falls flat, thus an easier finish is always more welcome - The shear numbers of the CTCT means I can always find the next group when dropped, whilst the Tour de PPA often leaves you on your lonesome or with 2 or 3 other stragglers as you make your way to the finish. So for me it look very similar to golf's course ratings, that predominately considers the Pro's abilities, forgetting that crossing water 15 times a round is daunting for the hacker, even if the course is short. Long and short, I think the CTCT BETA is way overestimated, and I know I will be punished and very quickly on my own if I ride the next PPA fun ride from E.
